Gaia Boat Malta — The Luxury Charter Boat You’ve Seen on Instagram

Someone sent you a photo. Or you saw it on a reel. A boat, impossibly blue water, beige cushions catching the sun.

You didn’t know the name of the boat. You just knew you wanted to be on it.

The boat is called Gaia. It’s built in Italy. 25 feet of pure design, powered by a 300HP Yamaha engine.

I Malta Boat Trips operates ten of them in Malta — and we’re the official agents for the Gaia on the island.

If you’re here because of a photo — you found the right place.

What Is a Gaia Boat?

Gaia is an Italian-built luxury powerboat, designed and crafted in Italy — the same country that gave the world the boat cultures of Ischia and Capri. That design heritage shows in every detail.

The Gaia 25 is 25 feet of open-deck luxury. It’s not a RIB with inflatable tubes. It’s not a standard charter vessel. It’s a purpose-built, premium powerboat — designed to look extraordinary on the water and feel even better to be on.

When you see a Gaia on the water next to other boats, there’s no comparison. The lines, the finish, the proportion — it stands out immediately.

Gaia Boat Specifications

• Length: 25 feet
• Engine: 300HP Yamaha outboard — one of the most reliable marine engines in production
• Capacity: Up to 13 passengers
• Hull design: Deep V — cuts through chop cleanly for a smooth, stable ride
• Seating: Beige cushioned seats with teak foam carpet — luxury finish throughout
• Canopy: Built-in shade for hot Mediterranean days
• Cool box: With ice — bring your own drinks and keep them cold throughout
• Toilet: On board — essential for longer tours
• Dolphin platform: Bow-mounted diving and photography platform
• Origin: Built in Italy

Why the Gaia Looks the Way It Does — The Design Story

The Gaia wasn’t designed for Malta specifically. It was designed in Italy, inspired by the boat culture of islands like Ischia and Capri — two of the most famous luxury boating destinations in the Mediterranean.

Those islands set the standard for what a day boat should be. Elegant without being ostentatious. Fast without being aggressive. Built for people who want the full experience — the water, the sun, the scenery — without compromise.

The beige cushioned seating against the crystal blue water is not accidental. That contrast — warm cream against vivid Mediterranean blue — is one of the most photographed colour combinations in boating. Every Gaia is built with this in mind.

The teak foam carpet gives the deck a warm, organic texture that photographs beautifully and feels comfortable underfoot. No hard plastic. No cold metal. Everything is considered.

💡 The beige cushions on the Gaia are one of the most recognisable features — and they’re the reason the boat looks so good in photos. That contrast with the blue water is genuinely difficult to replicate on other boats.

The Dolphin Platform — The Feature Everyone Talks About

At the bow of every Gaia is the dolphin platform — a flat, open deck at the front of the boat that extends forward over the water.

Think of it as a small diving board built into the boat. You can sit on it with your feet dangling above the sea — and if the photo opportunity presents itself, you take it. The platform frames the water perfectly beneath you. It’s become one of the most recognisable features of the Gaia brand.

But it’s not just for photos. From the dolphin platform you can dive cleanly into deep water from the bow — one of the best feelings in boating. You’re at the front of the boat, the water is right there below you, and you go in head first.

When the boat is anchored in the Blue Lagoon or the Crystal Lagoon, the dolphin platform gives you direct access to the clearest water from the most photogenic angle on the boat. It’s where the best Gaia photos are taken. Every single time.

💡 The dolphin platform is the spot. If you’re on a Gaia and you haven’t sat on the platform at the Blue Lagoon, you haven’t done it properly. Bring someone to take the photo from behind — the water colour underneath is extraordinary.

What Makes the Gaia Different from Other Charter Boats in Malta

Malta has a lot of charter boats. RIBs, old wooden boats, standard fibreglass vessels. The Gaia is in a different category. Here’s why:

The Deep V Hull — Smooth in Chop

Most day charter boats in Malta have flat or shallow hulls. They’re fine in calm water. In chop — and the Mediterranean can get choppy quickly — a flat hull bounces. Hard.

The Gaia’s deep V hull design cuts through waves rather than riding over them. The bow dips and splits the chop. The ride stays smooth. Passengers stay comfortable. This matters significantly on longer tours when the sea kicks up in the afternoon.

The Outboard Engine Advantage

Because the Gaia is powered by an outboard Yamaha 300HP engine — mounted externally at the stern — the hull has no deep keel. This means the boat can operate in much shallower water than inboard-engine vessels

In practical terms: the Gaia gets into places other boats can’t reach. The shallow reef sections around Comino and Cominotto — where the water is the most vivid blue and the marine life is richest — are accessible to Gaia in conditions where bigger, deeper-draft vessels have to stay further out.

Your skipper can anchor in the shallows, right over the clearest water, directly above the reef. That’s where the best photos come from. That’s where the best snorkelling is. And it’s a position most charter boats in Malta can’t reach.

Speed

The 300HP Yamaha pushes the 25-foot Gaia faster than most charter RIBs operating in Malta. Getting from Cirkewwa to the Blue Lagoon takes minutes. Getting around the south Gozo coast doesn’t eat into your swim time.

Speed matters on a private charter — not for the sake of it, but because more time at the destination means more time in the water.

The Look

This is the honest reason most people book a Gaia. It looks extraordinary on camera. The lines of the hull, the dolphin platform, the beige cushions against blue water — every photo taken on a Gaia looks like a luxury lifestyle shoot.

It’s the boat people share on Instagram. It’s the boat people see in someone else’s photo and want to know the name of. It’s the boat that brings people to this page.

Our Fleet of 10 Gaia Boats in Malta

I Malta Boat Trips operates 10 Gaia boats — the largest fleet of this model operating in Malta. Every boat in the fleet is maintained to the same standard. Every tour departs from Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal in the north of Malta or from Mġarr Harbour in Gozo.

Every Gaia comes fully equipped for a private charter: professional local skipper, snorkelling gear, life jackets, pool noodles, floaties, cool box with ice, shade canopy, teak foam deck, and everything else included. No hidden extras.

For groups larger than 13 — we have bigger boats available. Contact us to discuss options for large groups.

💡 With 10 boats in the fleet, availability is rarely an issue outside peak summer. In July and August, book at least a week ahead. We can also arrange multiple boats running simultaneously for large groups or events.

The Gaia on Tour — Where You’ll Go

The Gaia is the boat on every tour we run. Here’s where it takes you:

Blue Lagoon & Crystal Lagoon — Comino

The Blue Lagoon is where the Gaia looks its absolute best. The beige and cream against the turquoise water is one of those colour combinations that makes every photo look professionally taken. The dolphin platform at the bow, the lagoon below, Cominotto in the background.

And because the Gaia’s shallow draft lets the skipper anchor right over the reef in the clearest, most vivid sections of the lagoon — away from the crowded shore — the water colour in your photos will be deeper and more vivid than anything taken from the beach.

Gozo Coastline

The Gaia’s speed and shallow draft make it ideal for the south Gozo coastline circuit — covering Mġarr ix-Xini, Ras il-Ħobż, Xatt l-Aħmar, Xlendi, and the hidden coves that bigger boats can’t access. More stops, more water, more of Gozo.

The Sea Caves

Comino’s cave network — Lovers Cave, Popeye Cave, Alex Cave — were built for a boat like the Gaia. The shallow hull, the compact 25-foot length, and the outboard engine let the skipper take the boat right to the cave entrances. Bigger inboard vessels have to stay further out.

For more on what’s inside each cave, check out this guide to Comino’s caves.

Gaia Boat Tours — Book Your Charter

Every tour we run departs on a Gaia. Choose the duration that works for your group:

• 1-Hour Private Tour — €99 for up to 6 people. Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon. Available on request.
• 5-Hour Private Tour — €149. Comino caves, Cominotto, Blue Lagoon. Available on request.
• 2-Hour Private Tour — €199. Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, snorkelling.
• 3-Hour Private Tour — €289. Full Comino circuit. Our most popular tour.
• 4-Hour Private Tour — €369. Comino plus south Gozo coastline.
• 6-Hour Private Tour — Full south Gozo circuit.
• 8-Hour Private Tour — Complete Gozo circumnavigation.
• Sunset Tour — Blue Lagoon at golden hour.

All tours: up to 6 people base price, €10 per additional person, up to 13 passengers. For groups of 14 or more, contact the team for larger vessel options.

Interested in Buying a Gaia Boat?

We are the official agents for Gaia boats in Malta. If you’ve seen the boat, experienced it on a charter, and want to know about ownership — we’re the people to talk to.

Get in touch directly and we’ll walk you through the options. Contact us here.

Also Worth Exploring

The Gaia takes you to all of these. Every one of them is worth reading about before you go:

• Blue Lagoon Malta — Complete Guide
• Crystal Lagoon Malta Guide
• Comino Caves Guide
• Cominotto — Malta’s Best Kept Secret
• Gozo Island Guide
• Snorkelling in Malta and Gozo
• What’s Included in a Private Boat Charter

Frequently Asked Questions — Gaia Boat Malta

What is a Gaia boat?

Gaia is a luxury Italian-built powerboat — 25 feet long, powered by a 300HP Yamaha outboard engine. It’s built in Italy and designed for the kind of day-on-the-water experience associated with the premium boat culture of Ischia and Capri.

Where are Gaia boats made?

Gaia boats are built in Italy. The design, the materials, and the finish all reflect Italian craftsmanship and Mediterranean boating heritage.

Who are the Gaia boat agents in Malta?

I Malta Boat Trips are the official agents for Gaia boats in Malta. We operate a fleet of 10 Gaia boats for private charters, and we can also assist buyers interested in purchasing a Gaia. Contact us here.

How many people fit on a Gaia boat?

Up to 13 passengers. Our base charter price covers up to 6 people, with a supplement of €10 per additional person. For groups larger than 13, we have bigger vessels available.

What is the dolphin platform on the Gaia?

The dolphin platform is a flat open deck at the bow of the boat — like a small diving board built into the front. Guests can sit on it with their feet above the water, dive from it directly into the sea, or use it for the best photo angle on the boat. It’s the most photographed feature of the Gaia.

Why does the Gaia get better access to the Blue Lagoon than other boats?

The Gaia has an outboard engine and a shallow draft hull — meaning it can operate in much shallower water than inboard-engine vessels. The skipper can anchor directly over the reef in the clearest, most vivid sections of the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, away from the crowded shore. Most charter boats in Malta can’t reach these positions.

What engine does the Gaia use?

Every Gaia in our fleet is powered by a 300HP Yamaha outboard engine — one of the most reliable and proven marine engines available. Fast, efficient, and low maintenance.

Is the Gaia good in rough water?

Yes. The deep V hull design cuts through chop cleanly rather than bouncing over it. The ride stays smooth and comfortable even when the afternoon sea picks up. This is a significant advantage over flat-bottomed charter boats on longer tours.

Can I book a Gaia for a sunset tour?

Yes — our sunset boat tour runs on a Gaia. The Blue Lagoon at golden hour, from the dolphin platform, on a Gaia — it’s one of the best things you can do in Malta.

How do I book a Gaia charter?

Browse all tour options and book directly online, or contact the team here for custom requests, large groups, or buying enquiries